Sunday, November 29, 2015

How to use similie and metaphor in your writing

Similes and Metaphors really spice up your writing.  These are ways that you can compare one thing to another in a very graphic and imaginative way.  Yes there are some similes that are idioms now, "She is as quiet as a mouse." Or He runs as fast as a horse."  But with some practice, you can make up your own and make your writing very interesting!

A real mouse is maybe not so quiet? 




Here is a worksheet that I have used in class.   http://www.education.com/download/worksheet/107309/simile-and-metaphor.pdf

After you have done this worksheet, write your own similes and metaphors here: 

1. _________________________________________

2._________________________________________

3._________________________________________

4,_________________________________________

5,_________________________________________

Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice  - English Teacher 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thomas Alva Edison

Treasures Grade 4 Bright ideas  Today we will learn about Thomas Alva Edison!  page 221-223

Vocabulary:
hilarious
dizzy
convinced
whirlwind
mischief
nowadays
independence
(come in) handy

Pronunciation
convinced - con vin sed
whirlwind - short i \
curious c  is a k sound
read in the past tense is pronounced "red"
Inventor hear the t
lighting lite ting
appliances  long I

What do you know about  electricity?
Who first discovered electricity?
Do people teach their children at home?
Could we use Edison's vote counter today? Why or why not?
What was Edison's greatest problem?
What was the problem with lighting with gas?
What would you like to ask the author of this article?



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach


Sunday, November 22, 2015

Coffee can help you live longer! English conversation lesson

Coffee, you love it or you hate it! I personally have not found a cup of coffee that I really like, but maybe because of this information I might change my mind!



http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151119-coffee.html

Vocabulary
evidence
life-threatening illnesses
moderate consumption
highlighted
 interact

Pronunciation
  growing hear the r
  diabetes - di a be tes
caffeinated caf fi na ted
sweeteners sweet ter ners

Questions
Do you drink much coffee?
How many cups of coffee do you drink?
Did reading this article change your mind about coffee?
How many cups will you drink from now on?
What questions would you like to ask the researchers?
Do you think that the study was rigorous enough?
Which drinks do you drink for health reasons?
Which ones do you drink for the taste?


 Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach  English Teacher

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Hanukah is coming! Get your gifts at Hanni's Gifts!





I have Hannuka towels, really cool sevivon and an apron I designed on the computer and went to someone to put it on the apron. For each sale 5% is donated to the children of Sderot. The Hannuka towels are nice dish towels and the picture can be found at the bottom of the towel. They are very nice. the sevivon are lazer and go around in a circle and light up and sing in Hebrew. Last is my apron and my helper Yisraela is on the apron and is modeling it. . You me here or on facebook under Hanni Harel or at my e-mail address. It is: hannihar@gmail.com. Thank you.

Hanni is also at the Israel Center every Monday from 8:30 - 11:30! Go there and say that Rachael Alice sent you!




Washer, Dryer and stove for Sale in Nachlaot

A wonderful lady is moving soon, and her new apartment doesn't have room for her washer and dryer. They both work, and don't need any servicing.

 This is the stove, it works too!


Call Hana in the afternoons only at: 02-652-0652 or 055-999-3436
Make her an offer!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Mealworms can eat plastic! English conversation lesson

This is an exciting development!  Mealworms, used to feed lizards can eat plastic.  I came across first on   TSU and then I did more research

Disgusting looking things, aren't they?

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/30/us/styrofoam-eating-mealworms-plastic-waste/

Vocabulary
nonbiodegradable
 contributors
global pollution
squirmy 
microorganisms
revolutionary
bacteria
recycling



Questions
Why is this a surprising discovery? 
How can this be used in the home? 
Can it be used in a industrial setting? 
What would happen if some of these bugs escape the laboratory?
How do you recycle?  What items do you recycle? 

Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach- English Teacher

Treasures 4 Unit 1 Welcome to Mexico


Treasures grade 4 Unit 1 Welcome to Mexico pages 176-179 Lesson Plan.
For more activities go here:http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/t/students/grade4/book1
Vocabulary
overheard strikes opportunities citizen border boycotts unions immigration tamale.

Pronunciation
world hear the l


What information do we find out about in this letter?
Who is he writing to?
What is the author's purpose?
Why does the author of the letter in two languages?
What would you like to do in Mexico?
Would you want to eat a Tamale?
What is the problem with the Farmers?
Why will boycotting produce from other countries help?
Find phrases that show us that Paul is enjoying living in Mexico.


This link can be useful if you are homeschooling your child: Homeschooling your Child

Monday, November 9, 2015

Timelinks Unit 2 Lesson 3

Social Studies can be fun!  Today we are learning about the Earth!

In this lesson we will study from page 14-18

Vocabulary
Earth
mountain
river
land
ocean
clouds
lakes





Questions
What do we see in the picture on page 14?  What part of the Earth do we see?
What is the Earth made of?
What is the difference between a lake and a river?



Homework: Describe a lake near your home. 


For more activities go here:
http://www.macmillanmh.com/socialstudies/2009/student/index.html



I have an exciting book for you today, How to choose the best toys for your kids!
 Choose the best toys for your KIDS!

Friday, November 6, 2015

A Walk in the Desert- Treasures Gr. 4 Unit 1

After studying the Cold of Alaska, we are now going to find out about the hot desert climate..  For one thing there are many more kinds of animals that live in the desert, but it is also a harsh environment.

http://www.amazon.com/Treasures-Reading-Language-Program-publication/dp/0021920117/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1446382172&sr=1-2&keywords=treasures+grade+4


We will start on page 49 -65
A Walk in the Desert

Vocabulary



Pronunciation
  fl ickering flik er ring
 biomes BI omes  long I
regularly re gu la ri
Gila  I is a ee sound
enormous e nor mus
  nocturnal nok tur nal
  chuckwallas chuck wa la
  streaks  ea - ee sound
  roadrunner road run ner

Questions
What happens in the morning in the desert?
What happens at noon in the desert?
What happens at night?
Why does a roadrunner prefer to run and not to fly?
Which would you like to visit?  The Desert or the Tundra?









Rachael-Alice-Orbach's books on Amazon





Thursday, November 5, 2015

Women Pick up the Ball - Treasures Grade 4

Women took up the slack during World War II in many different fields, one of them was Professional Baseball!




http://www.amazon.com/Treasures-Reading-Language-Program-Student/dp/0021988137/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445860303&sr=1-1&keywords=treasures+grade+4

We are reading the story within a story on page 150-151


Vocabulary
legendary
insult 
Succeed muttered 
fluke gaped 
flinched snickering 
salaries 
a big draw

Pronunciation
fl uke. long u 
lessened les send
Cooperstown town ow

Questions:
How does Lucy feel at the beginning of the story?
Where is she exactly?
What is interesting about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League?
What are the girls doing with the thing on their heads?
Why did the Girls Baseball league fall apart?
How does she feel at the end?
What will happen after this story?

What type of sports do you like to play?
What sports do you play in the summer? In the winter?
Are women's sports important in your country?
Which women's Olympic sports do you like?



Inspirational Kids stories Inspirational Kids Stories.
Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - English Teacher

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Vasco de Gama - Explorer

Vasco de Gama opened the Asian markets to European trade.



http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/dagama/

Vocabulary 
extensively traded a lot
in a really big way 
wore out his welcome 
accomplishment

Pronunciation 
 Portugal Porr tu gal
1400’s fourteen hunderds
spices - long i 


Questions
Why did King Manual finance de Gama's voyage?
Why did Portugal want a sea route and not overland?
Why did he want to get spices? 
How many ships did de Gama take the first time he went to India?
What did he accomplish on his first journey?
How did the people in India feel about him?
What did he do about the situation? 
What happened in 1502?
Why did he take so many ships?
What is Vasco de Gama's legacy ?


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - English Teacher 






Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Essential Links Lesson Unit 2 page 47

This is a book for people who like real life adventures and disasters,  Today we are going to study page 47


Vocabulary
Guest house 
everything
tsunami - tidal wave 


Questions
Where did this story take place? 
Where is Talia from? 
What happened when the tidal wave hit the village?
 What is Talia doing now? 
Where did she go to raise money? 
What are the similarities and difference between the incident with the tidal wave and with the volcano? 
What happens when a volcano explodes? 
What happens when a tsunami hits the beach? 
Which one causes more damage?
Why? 
Do natural disasters like this happen in your country? 


Homework Write a news report of natural disaster: earthquake, tsunami, volcano that hit a neighboring town. What happened, how long did it take, how much damage. 
Write as if you are a reporter.  Write 50 words 

Monday, November 2, 2015

Treasures Grade 4 Unit 1 The case of the Missing Sandwich!

Mysteries
Treasures Grade 4 is a very interesting book for the 4th grade, Every two stories have the same theme


Vocabulary
assignment work to do in class
culprit - the guilty one
consideration - after some thinking
accuse to blame
suspicious - very strange
evidence- proof
 consume- eat
succession- very fast one after another
culprit - the guilty one


Pronunciation
vegetarians ve ge tar ri ans
consideration, con si der at shun
allergies al er gi
bumped bumpt
earlier earl I er
exactly x lac li
salami sa la mi
apologetically. a pol I ge ti cli
 alibi  al I by
 cafeteria kaf fi ti re a
 Whole -hole
growling hear the l
 certain ser tan
 determined de ter mined
  made hear the m

Grammar
hated past tense of hate


Questions
How did Ramon keep track of the clues?
Who does he cross off his list?
How did he feel when he found the smiley face?
Why did the Assistant Principal come into the room?
Why did he mention the cat?
What was the biggest clue?
What was a supporting clue?
Why was Ramon happy?
Could this story happy in real life?
What happens next after the story?
Has anything like this ever happened to you?




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - English Teacher




Sunday, November 1, 2015

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Book Review

Yes, I know that books about English grammar just don't seem like light hearted reading  For the most part, when I teach in a class face to face, when I start to write sentence diagrams, the students, one by one fall asleep. . . and then the bell rings, or someone coughs, and they wake up to do the exercises or run out the door.

I'm here to tell you that this is one book about English grammar that will keep you laughing!  Where you put a comma, can change the whole sentence! 

Yes, it's true. 


How would you say the following sentences? 

A girl, without her cat, is nothing. 

A girl; without her, cat is nothing. 

Ok, well it works better with men and women, but you have to read the book for other examples!  

Have fun with punctuation! 

Here is an at home course that you can use to improve your English
Learn English at Home without a Teacher!


Rachael Alice Orbach - English teacher

Baby Shark Game like Hangman. . .

This is an example of how I played the game today with a student:  You can print this or play it using Zoom! I think of a word from the less...